Ireland dominated Britain at the Cheltenham Festival once again and they’ve also got a stranglehold on the Grand National entries. Of the 34 horses currently guaranteed to get into the race, only five of them are trained in Britain. We’ve taken a look at the credentials of each of the five horses and come to the conclusion that a 33/1 shot represents the home team’s best chance. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Last year’s winner warmed up for this race with a cracking effort in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham last time out, when finishing third. Only three of the last 1o winners of the Grand National have been successful off marks of 150 or higher and veterans don’t have the best of records either. It would take a monumental effort to win off 159 here.
Also a veteran, this 11-year-old’s age profile isn’t ideal, although the two oldest winners of the last 10 renewals were the same age. That’s arguably the only weakness however as he’s a previous course winner with excellent form on Cheltenham’s Cross Country track over marathon trips. A rating of 149 gives him a fair chance and he could be the one.
Gary Moore’s stable star bolted up in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow over Christmas but the performance wasn’t missed by the handicapper. A rating of 161 means he carries more weight than last year’s winner and he absolutely has to have soft ground. It would be some achievement if he pulled it off but the gelding has it all to do.
Joe Tizzard’s 10-year-old would also have to be a trend-buster due to his age and a rating of 153 isn’t ideal. He has some really decent form is graded races and shaped as if the trip is viable when a keeping on fourth in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November. Available at a massive price, he could potentially run well but looks vulnerable from a win perspective.
Peter Bowen’s eleven-year-old is a bit of a course specialist and managed to win the Topham and the Grand Sefton in the same season. He was a winner on the Mildmay course back in December but it would be a surprise if he had the requisite stamina reserves to win here.
Whilst the law of averages suggests the winner will be trained in Ireland this year, Latenightpass could be the best of the British and a big run may well be on the cards.
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